PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
Grant Banglandeshi couple Refugee Status Now!
  1. Signatures
    259 out of 2,500
    Petitioning
    1. Refugee Review Tribunal (+ 2 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • Refugee Review Tribunal
      • Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (Chris Evans)
      • Prime Minister Of Australia (Hon. Kevin Rudd)
  2. Created By
    CAAH (Community Action against Homophobia)
About this Petition Petition Letter

In February 1999,  these two Bangladeshi men (s395 and s396 as deemed by the High Court of Australia) arrived in Australia from Dhaka claiming refugee status. They told the Australian government they had been forced to leave their home, lost their jobs in Bangladesh and were stoned by homophobes in their community who found out they were a loving gay male couple. They feared they would continue to be persecuted because of their homosexuality, so fled Bangladesh for Australia.

Since, that time they have faced 4 seperate Refugee Review Tribunals (RRT's), to have their refugee status recognised. At first, they were rejected because it was suggested that if they returned home and were discreet about their sexuality they would be safe. Also, since they arrived their status as a couple have not been recognised, living in seperate refugee compunds at Villawood within Sydney.

Recently they faced their fourth tribunal, and were again rejected. The couple so desperate by this stage they even offered to have sex before the RRT to prove they were involved. Of course, this was dneied them. But Members or our organisation CAAH have met with this couple, and can vouch for the authenticity of their love

As of 2003 homosexuality has been approved by the high courts as a acceptable claim for refugee status, and to think this couple have been fighting for their basic human right to safety since 1999 is deplorable.

Please sign this petition, and let the Australian Government know that it should be honouring the Universal Declearation of human rights, in which Bangladesh and Australia are both signatree's. Give this Bangladeshi couple a new start with freedom and safety.

 

Cheers,

Steaphan Markotany,

CAAH Co-convener

Recent Signatures

Bangladeshi Couple: s395 and s396

Greetings, To the Honorable Minister for Immigration, Senator Ch

I am writing to express my objection to the treatment of gay Bangladeshi couple s395 and s396 (as deemed by their high court case), and ask that their refugee status be accepted, and they be allowed to start a new life, as a gay couple free from persecution, within Australia.

In February 1999, these two Bangladeshi men arrived in Australia from Dhaka claiming refugee status. They told the Australian government they had been forced to leave their home, lost their jobs in Bangladesh and were stoned by homophobes in their community who found out they were a loving gay male couple. They feared they would continue to be persecuted because of their homosexuality, so fled Bangladesh for Australia.

On their arrival in Australia, the Refugee Review Tribunal (RRT) rejected their claims, saying that if the men were discreet, they could avoid problems when they went home. But the High Court of Australia found that the RRT should have considered what might happen if the men lived openly as a homosexual couple. In December 2003, the High Court found by a 4-3 majority that homosexuality could be a basis for a refugee claim. According to barrister for the men, Brue Levet, “to say to a homosexual: ‘Be discreet about it, you’ll be alright’, was about the equivalent of saying to Anne Frank if she turned up to Australia: ‘Go back to your attic … keep hiding and you’ll be OK.’”

So considering this high court ruling around homosexuality and refugee claims, and considering the universal deceleration of human rights which both Bangladesh and Australia has signed, these men are legitimate refugee's who should receive our full support.

As of 2009 they have been here for 10 years fighting for refugee status. Following their third refugee tribunal the situation as it stands is still unacceptable, with the RRT refusing to admit they are gay.

This is a disgrace. This loving couple must have their human rights respected, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human rights and defended by the 2003 high court ruling. We write to you so you can change it: allow them to stay, allow humanity and decency to prevail here. Accept their status as refugee's and as a loving gay couple, and let them establish a new life free from persecution here in Australia.

Organisation Community Action against homophobia (CAAH) has met with this couple, and can bear witness to the love shared by this authentic couple. They deserve to be recognised and granted status.

Yours Truly,
(Insert Name Here)

[Your name]

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